I just wanted to know what anyone here would say if they were posed a question like myself as to why you are confined to a wheelchair. Most of the time, it is little 4 and 5 year olds asking me this question. I surely cant tell them my disability because they wouldnt understand what it meant. So, can anyone give me a short and easy answer to give to little ones whom ask me why I am in a wheelchair?
2006-07-02 15:22:52 · 14 answers · asked by sylverdreamer2005 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I wouldn't go into any detailed or explicit explanations, since as you said, they wouldn't understand what it meant. I'd probably say something along the lines of, "I use it to get around because my legs don't work real well...". Simple, to the point, and every kid knows what their legs are for by the time they're old enough to ask these kinds of questions.
2006-07-02 15:31:09 · answer #1 · answered by medrecgal1973 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why not explain the truth? Maybe not in all the medical terminology that NO ONE understands, but they would think you were their hero if you took a moment to answer their questions. They're used to adults telling them "you wouldn't understand" or making up some fake story. Tell them. After all, this is how they learn.
I'm not sure what your circumstances are, but you could say something like "I had an illness that hurt my legs. I can't walk on my own anymore. Now I get to ride around in this cool wheelchair all of the time and go really fast!"
Good luck to you!
2006-07-02 15:31:32 · answer #2 · answered by KansasSpice 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just say something simple like "My legs don't work right, so I get to use this cool wheelchair instead." Kids don't need the details. Show them a few of the things you can do to maneuver the wheelchair, and they'll be impressed. What you want to emphasize is your mobility and your ability, so they will know that a person in a wheelchair may do things a little differently but is just as capable as everyone else.
2006-07-02 15:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by just♪wondering 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would just say that you got hurt, sick, or was born with something that keeps you from being able to walk, so you get around in a wheelchair.
Kids can sometimes generalize and think that what you tell them could apply to everyone, which might make them worry. So, I'd also tell them that most people don't have your problem, but some do, so you are glad that there are wheelchairs so that you can still go around and do things.
2006-07-02 15:32:22 · answer #4 · answered by Sondra B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Four and five year olds are very direct. If they wonder about something, they ask about it. But they can't handle a very technical or involved response. You can either tell them you had an accident (if that's what happened) or God made you that way (if that's what happened).
That will usually satisfy them, and if they ask why God made you that way, just smile and say that they will have to ask Him that question.
In our canoe club, I work with a group of adaptive paddlers -- they all use wheelchairs for one reason or another, and we have special fiberglass bucket seats, with eight inch Velcro belts to hold them steady in the boats. Most handle the paddle very well, except for one woman with CP who has difficulty with quick changes, so she paddles only on one side. The interesting part is when the practice ends and we come back to the dock, able bodied people have to run up to the compound to bring the fleet of wheelchairs down to the dock so our paddlers can get back to dry land. We get a lot of funny looks, as most people wouldn't believe that our paddlers with disabilities could handle a boat -- but they do, and they love it.
2006-07-03 11:24:17 · answer #5 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a disabled military vet, i get those questions from kids all the time. let me tell you it does not bother me in the least. kids are so honest and up front, adults on the other hand can be a little weird about it, sometimes they tell their kids not to stare, but come on we are different than they are used to seeing they are going to be curios. kids understand a lot more than people give them credit for. i just tell them that i got my leg crushed and my back is really hurt. then i show them how much smaller my left leg is from muscle loss, they seem to understand very well.
2006-07-02 15:32:59 · answer #6 · answered by native 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was born with Spina Bifiida and I am paralyzed from the knees down. I am 30. So, I understand your dilemma. I get it all the time. This is what I tell little ones, and it seems to work quite well! I always tell the little ones that my legs are broken and doctors and God can't fix them yet.
2006-07-02 15:31:54 · answer #7 · answered by dawn_renee75 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might try explaining to them that your legs (back, etc.) were hurt and don't work, so you need the wheelchair to help you move around. Even if it's not a scientific description, it's more on their level, and they might be satisfied with that.
2006-07-03 09:33:38 · answer #8 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When having been asked a few times, I tell them the truth as a rule. It does not bother me at all to answer them when they are not doing it to be mean. My experiences with them had been just fine.
2006-07-07 20:57:31 · answer #9 · answered by maybf22000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just say "i can't walk by myself. so instead i sit in this chair with wheels on it and i'm able to move around! "
(and if the child is small enough to sit on your lap) be like "would youu like to sit on my lap for a small ride?" and then give them like a 10 foot ride.
usally the kids will think the ride is the coolest thing ever.
2006-07-02 15:26:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋